They were passing by some food stalls by the roadside and Arnav noticed Khushi looking at them with a longing face. Her face indicated she was hungry. He smiled thinking how she really was such a child!
It was past dinner time anyway and he himself was hungry. Maybe they could take a short break?
"Erm, khushi, would like to stop for a quick break? I need water and maybe we can get something to eat too? Only if you're ok.." he knew she wanted it but would have refused if he insisted
Khushi bit her lip. There was no doubt she was hungry. And it was not helping that she was missing her Amma ke hath ka khana. Maybe a quick snack could help her calm her nerves? 'just 2 days Khushi, after that you'll again go back to having Amma's food' she tried to convince herself. But something didn't feel right. 2 days were too much. She frowned. 'maybe 1 day out should be enough. Yeah, I will return home tomorrow' with that conclusion, she smiled and nodded for a food-break to Arnav
--*--
"So what do you do Arnav ji? I mean for work?" Khushi asked as they sat on the plastic chairs near a roadside food truck. It was a pleasant evening, with cool wind touching her face and playing with her hair. She found herself relaxing.
"You mean apart from helping people run away?" he asked with an eyebrow raised. Khushi noticed he looked so much like her favorite heroes when he did that. She felt a weird fuzzy feeling in her stomach as if she was having a fan moment. Almost like when she watched Salmanji flirt with Madhuri ji in hum aapke hain kaun.. 'get a grip Khushi' she reminded herself
"very funny. Yes apart from helping dulhans to run away what else do you do?" She asked tongue in cheek herself
"well, I have a small business and I am mostly busy in my office. But in reality I love spending time with my plants, in my garden. And I love going on long drives in my favorite SUV" he honestly answered, and it seemed like they were having a conversation as prospective bride and groom in disguise! Arnav smiled thinking about that and turned to ask her more about herself. As their food arrived, their conversation kept getting more and more interesting, them both learning how different they were in few things yet how their love for their families surpassed everything. Khushi realized how much she enjoyed talking to her 'new friend' and arnav realized how he was getting more attracted to her every passing minute.
--*--
It was past 10 pm and no news from Arnav yet. Both Gupta as well Raizada family members were waiting anxiously for their kids. Payal and Akash's engagement was done, and most guests were either already gone or final lot were having dinner.
"Humein maaf kar dijiye Devyani ji (Please forgive us)" Garima said with folded hands to Arnav's nani.
"Nahi bitiya, aapki kono galti nahi aur nahi khushi bitya ki hai. (It's not your mistake nor khushi's). Bhagwan ka shukar hai she is safe and with Chote. We all forced them both without realizing if they were ready for this. But now we should rectify our mistake" Nani ji said looking at everyone and they all waited for what was her decision
--*--
Arnav and Khushi were almost 5 minutes away from her friend's house, with a restless Arnav as he had still no luck in convincing her to go back home. Let alone convincing, he didn't even know how to approach that subject. it seemed like only a miracle could help him now
And just then he saw a huge traffic jam few feet away. 'it seems God is in a mood to fulfil all my wishes today' he thought. He applied breaks on the car as Khushi too straightened in her seat. They both got down from the car to see what happened and crossed a few cars that were stopped ahead.
When they reached at the traffic signal, an accident sight caught their attention. It seemed a car was hit head-on with people inside it being injured. Khushi saw as an ambulance pulled up and occupants from the car were being rescued. She noticed it was an elderly couple and their young daughter. The couple was injured more than the daughter and the daughter was crying as well as trying her best to help her parents get help. Suddenly khushi saw her parents in their place and herself in the girl's shoes. 'I can't not lose my parents, I cant stay away from them' She realized with a jolt and the thoughts became too strong. Before she knew it, she started crying
Arnav who had gone a little ahead to see if he could help anyone, returned after the ambulance left with the injured people. Thankfully there was no casualty. But when he came near khushi, he saw her completely broken down
"Humein ghar jana hain (I want to go home)" is all she said before Arnav asked what happened. And without another word exchanged, they turned in their heel to his car.
Arnav looked at his wrist-watch. It showed 11 pm, he would be able to keep his word after all, to bring her home before midnight.
--*--
The journey back home was spent in a complete silence. But as they approached Khushi's house, she suddenly realized she was parting her way with her travel companion of few hours. In the last few most-dramatic-stressful hours of her life, he was with her, and she was already feeling a strong sense of admiration for him. But how could she ask him to stay in touch more? Wouldn't he judge her? What reason would she give?
--*--
A/N - this chapter was getting too long so I am breaking it in 2 parts, so next will be last one of this story. Next SS concept will be a serious one so hope you guys don't mind. Or do let me know if you want to read another fun-filled story before I steer to serious ones? The fun-filled one is a heartbreaker Khushi with a romantic Arnav trying to domesticate her, serious concept is concept #2 in this book's description. So let me know which one you want to read first. By the way, does anyone know how to conduct a poll on Wattpad? Pls DM me.
Stay tuned and thanks for all the love! ❤🤗 It keeps me motivated to not quit writing and/or take the story down 😎😇 so dont forget to vote. Thanks
